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On the Ground in Madagascar
P A G E 3
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
We are very fortunate to have Dr. Erik Patel on the ground as the post
doctoral director for our DLC‐SAVA ConservaƟon iniƟaƟve. Erik finished his
PhD at Cornell in the laƩer part of 2011, and arrived in Madagascar, on behalf
of DLC‐SC in mid‐January 2012. Although saddled with the many mundane
tasks of seƫng up a new project and living situaƟon (bank accounts, long term
visa, housing, etc.) Erik has seen the project off to a quick start, as you will see
in this newsleƩer!
Erik has a lengthy history of over 10 years working
as a researcher in Madagascar, much of that in the SAVA region, focusing on his beloved silky
sifakas for his PhD. However, Erik has never limited his acƟviƟes to research alone, oŌen
becoming involved with local communiƟes through his own NGO Simpona, developing and
supporƟng projects such as local libraries. Simpona is a major collaborator with our project and
supports much of the conservaƟon‐based research mission costs. Erik has also been acƟve in
working with film companies, and has played an important and courageous role in the baƩle
against illegal traffic of precious woods in the region.
Erik will be based in Madagascar (Sambava) for about ten months out of each year, and will
spend part of the remaining two months with us here at DLC. There will no doubt be
opportuniƟes for Erik to give presentaƟons on project progress while he is here, so watch the
DLC website and facebook page closely for announcements, starƟng in late August/September.
Our next newsleƩer will feature Erik’s capable colleague and other DLC‐SC on the ground staff member, Lanto
Andrianandrasana.
As DLC‐SC is a guest organizaƟon working in Madagascar, we
are expected to have formal agreements with appropriate
government enƟƟes. Madagascar NaƟonal Parks department
(MNP) oversees conservaƟon and management of Madagascar’s
protected areas, and hence are the principle government branch
with whom we will be collaboraƟng. In February an agreement of
collaboraƟon was wriƩen and signed by the local representaƟve
of MNP and DLC‐SC. This is an important document which will
allow us to work in the realm of conservaƟon in the SAVA region.
MNP director of Marojejy NaƟonal Park and Anjanaharibe Sud
Special Reserve, Hervé Bakarizafy, is our primary collaborator, and
we are fortunate to be working with such a dedicated individual.
Hervé has welcomed our conservaƟon efforts in the region, and
we expect to be working closely with MNP in certain areas such as
park protecƟon.
Erik with (distracted) Malagasy
students.
(Photo by Abigail Derby)
Agreement of Collaboration with MNP Signed
MNP Marojejy and Anjanaharibe Sud
Parks director Hervé Bakarizafy
(Photo by Lanto Andrianandrsana)
“Erik has a lengthy
history of over 10
years working as a
researcher in
Madagascar, much
of that in the Sava
Region”
S A V A C O N S E R V A T I O N